Over the last decade, the OHL's Western Conference has dominated regular-season and playoff titles.

But the East is starting to look beastly. Three teams -- Niagara, Oshawa and Ottawa -- could finish on top of anyone, including the Western favourite Plymouth Whalers.

"I don't know if the East is getting better than the West," Oshawa Generals GM/head coach Chris DePiero said. "It took me a couple of years in the league but I've learned there are different dynamics to the East and the West."

The West side features powerhouse clubs London, Windsor and Kitchener, who have huge followings and generate massive revenues. All three U.S.-based teams are in the West, which has generally dominated in drawing top U.S. talent and better import players to the league.

"You look at it like the AL East in baseball," DePiero said. "If you're a club like the Texas Rangers or the (Los Angeles) Angels in another division, you can still put together a strong team and make it to the World Series.

"I do know in the East this year, there are some really good teams. Sudbury, they've improved. Barrie and Peterborough will be better. There should be some great games and rivalries in our conference."

That improvement could change the feel of the 20 inter-conference games each team plays. Last year, Belleville made the playoffs with only 46 points. In the West, their eighth-place equivalent London had 73.

"You always want to win those (inter-conference) games," DePiero said, "but it's different. You only see those teams twice a year. If you're looking at a rivalry like Oshawa and Peterborough, that's something that extends beyond hockey."

But with better clubs, there will be more at stake. And maybe this season, several Western Conference clubs won't be so gleeful when they see a bus from out East roll up to their home rink.

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EASTERN CONFERENCE

NIAGARA ICEDOGS

GM/coach: Marty Williamson.

Last year: 45 wins and a trip to the third round before meeting Mississauga.

Big guns: Gens have five back who scored 25 goals last year. Christian Thomas (54 goals) will lead the red-light charge. Flipped three 2nd-round picks and more to Belleville to get G Daniel Altshuller in net.

Big guns: CHL top rookie Nail Yakupov scored 49 times last year and could be NHL's first overall. Sophomore first pick Alex Galchenyuk has 100-point potential. Long playoff runs for overage F Taylor Carnevale last two years.

Adios: With no more Mavric Parks, Czech Tadeas Galansky and 17-year-old Jake Paterson asked to stop the pucks.

Outlook: With improved Plymouth and Sarnia, tough to defend West division crown

WINDSOR SPITFIRES

GM: Warren Rychel. Coach: Bob Boughner.

Last year: Kept Ryan Ellis at deadline and made it three rounds deep for third straight season.

Top guns: An Alex Khokhlachev-Tom Kuhnhackl-Kenny Ryan top line will give everyone fits. G Jack Campbell's save percentage must be better than last year's .884. D Nick Ebert had 41 points at age 16. Rychel gave up six draft picks for Niagara first-round D Adam Bateman.

Adios: Ellis, CHL player of the year and 100-point defenceman. Zack Kassian (26-51-77) is Buffalo-bound. F Jake Carrick had 9 goals and 16 points in playoffs.